CHATEAU TROIS BRIOUX

• Sancerre:   This region is located in the area of Gaul settled by the powerful Celtic (Gaule Celtique) tribe, prior to it becoming part of Roman Aquitania and some evidence points to the existence of an early hillside Roman temple dedicated to Julius Caesar there. Sancerre is a natural fortress 312 meters in height and was a former feudal possession of the Counts of Champagne (1152) in the province of Berry. Currently it enjoys the mantle of one of the most famous white wine growing areas in France and there is a significant number of tasting wineries and quality restaurants in the area. 

• La Charite sur Loire:   Surrounded by ramparts, the medieval town of La Charité-sur-Loire, standing by the Loire river, is famous for its Clunisian priory. Founded in 1059, this Benedictine monastery, part of the Order of Cluny, is a remarkable example of Burgundian Romanesque art, along with its church, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. La Charite is part of the "Way of St. James" and the town was where in 1429 Joan of Arc suffered her first defeat.

• Bourges:    This historical medieval town has a magnificent 12th century Gothic Cathedral Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has a significant number of original building. Bourges was originally sacked by Julius Caesar in 52 BC prior to Rome reconstructing it as a Roman outpost. During the Middle Ages, Bourges served as the capital of the Viscounty of Bourges until 1101. In the fourteenth century, it became the capital of the Duchy of Berry (established in 1360). The future king of France, Charles VII, sought refuge there in the 1420s during the Hundred Years' War. His son, Louis XI, was born there in 1423. In 1438, Charles VII decreed the Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges. During this period, Bourges was a major centre of alchemy. Today it is a thriving large town with numerous museums, art galleries, parks & gardens and a wide spectrum of restaurants.

• ZooParc de Beauval:    This extraordinary privately owned zoo has continued building by the Delord family over the last 40 years and is a haven of peace for species and one of the most beautiful zoos in the world. It is now home to nearly 35,000 extraordinary animals and 800 species and is one of the best zoos in Europe. It features many live shows and the 2020 addition of the new Equatorial 38-metre-high Dome is an unforgettable trip around the equator.

• Guédelon Castle (Château de Guédelon):   Guédelon is a castle currently under construction near Treigny, France. The castle is the focus of an experimental archaeology project aimed at recreating a 13th-century castle and its environment using period technique, dress, and material. In order to fully investigate the technology required in the past, the project is using only period construction techniques, tools, and costumes. Materials, including wood and stone, are all obtained locally. Jacques Moulin, chief architect for the project, designed the castle according to the architectural model developed during the 12th and 13th centuries by Philip II of France. Guédelon provides practical lessons in sustainable building. This pioneering construction site offers information and demonstrations on wattle-and-daub or rubble walling, making and using limewashes, traditional terracotta roof tiles, oak shakes, flax and hemp ropes amongst other trades. 

• Just a few of the famous and historically significant chateaux in our region:

Château of Chambord - The Château of Chambord was built in 1519 by François I and features stunning French Renaissance architecture. Considered to be one the best chateaux in the Loire Valley, this UNESCO site offers tours of its interior where you can view its intricate architecture and impressive tapestry collection.

Château of Sully-sur-Loire - This beautiful Loire Valley chateau, which can be translated as the Castle of Sully, is a medieval fortress that was eventually turned into a residence. It is where Duke de Sully once lived and it features beautiful Renaissance architecture. There are two further floors guests can explore which include various collections of art. The castle has a few winding staircases, a moat, and plenty of towers to walk through.

Château de Chenonceau - The Château de Chenonceau towers over the nearby Cher River and features a stunning mixture of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Built in 1513, the castle is home to a large collection of 16th to 17th-century tapestries and numerous intricately decorated rooms you can tour. The castle is known for its lakes, bridges and many gardens which include various species of plants. You can also attend a unique event as during the summer the castle allows you to take a night walk through the gardens which are illuminated by soft lanterns and candle